Millions of Shia mourners have begun converging on Karbala for the Arbaeen pilgrimage Karbala 2025 marks as its largest logistical undertaking, many of them walking on foot towards the shrine of Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, as the Iraqi province says it has completed its preparations to receive them.
Arbaeen marks the fortieth day after Ashura, the day of mourning for the Prophet’s grandson Imam Hussain, who was killed at Karbala. It is the largest annual gathering in the world. The central act is the walk to Karbala, most commonly the roughly 80-kilometre route from Najaf, covered over three to five days, along which volunteers staff *mawkib*, roadside stations offering pilgrims food, water and lodging free of charge.
Karbala ready to receive Arbaeen pilgrimage 2025 crowds The Governor of Karbala, Nassif Al-Khattabi, told the annual conference of the province’s local government on 19 July that security, health and service preparations had been completed. According to the report carried by the Iraqi News Agency, new access routes have been opened, the “Ya Hussein” pilgrimage roads that guide walkers along the corridors into the city have been expanded, and further roads completed on the Baghdad–Karbala route. He said the province expected pilgrims to arrive earlier than usual this year and had accelerated its readiness accordingly.
Pilgrims are already on the move. Processions marking the second of Safar have been reported in Karbala, and walkers have set out from Basra towards the shrines.
Crossing from Iran
Iran’s Central Headquarters for Arbaeen confirmed on 19 July that all six western border crossings with Iraq are open. Its head, Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, said the crossings were fully operational with no major obstacles to travel. In the previous year, more than 2.6 million pilgrims left Iran by land for Arbaeen, according to Iranian figures, with the Mehran crossing the busiest.
Readiness claims are the government’s own, and past Arbaeens have been marked by crowd crush, heat and logistical strain, so the scale of the challenge remains considerable. No verified count for this year’s pilgrimage yet exists.
For readers in Britain
For Shia communities in Britain, this is a live devotional season. An Arbaeen procession is scheduled in London for Sunday 9 August, gathering at Marble Arch at midday. Arbaeen itself is expected on or around 4 August, subject to the sighting of the moon.
